Brakes Grinding? Don't Ignore It. Here's Why It's Happening

Published on June 23, 2025

If a high-pitched squeal from your brakes is a warning, a grinding sound is a critical alert that demands immediate attention. This metal-on-metal sound usually means a key component of your braking system has completely worn out, and your car's ability to stop safely is compromised.

This is a Serious Safety Issue

A grinding noise from your brakes indicates a significant failure in the system. Continuing to drive can cause further, more expensive damage and severely increases your risk of brake failure. Address this problem immediately.

1. Completely Worn-Out Brake Pads (Most Common Cause)

This is the number one cause of grinding brakes. Your brake pads have a layer of friction material that presses against the metal brake rotor. When this material wears away completely, the metal backing plate of the pad is now grinding directly against the metal rotor. This is the source of that horrible sound and is extremely damaging to the rotors.

Many brake pads have a small metal tab called a wear indicator that creates a high-pitched squeal when the pads are low. If you ignored the squealing, it will eventually turn into grinding once the pads are gone.

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2. Damaged or Scored Brake Rotors

If the grinding has been happening for a while, the metal-on-metal contact has likely damaged your brake rotors. The surface will become scored with deep grooves. Even with new brake pads, these damaged rotors will not provide a smooth surface for braking and will often need to be replaced along with the pads.

3. Debris Caught in the Braking System

Sometimes, a small rock, pebble, or other road debris can get lodged between the brake pad and the rotor, or between the rotor and the brake caliper. As the wheel turns, this object is ground against the metal components, creating a loud grinding or scraping noise. This can happen even if your brakes are brand new.

4. Worn or Failed Wheel Bearing

While not part of the brake system itself, a failing wheel bearing can cause a loud, low-pitched grinding or rumbling noise that changes with your speed. While you might notice it more when applying the brakes, it's often present even when you're just driving. It can sometimes be mistaken for a brake issue.

What To Do Next

Because this is a critical safety issue, your next steps should be cautious and prompt:

Limit Driving Immediately: Avoid driving the car if at all possible. Each stop can cause more damage to the rotors, turning a simple brake pad replacement into a much more expensive job.
Schedule a Brake Inspection: Contact a mechanic immediately and schedule a brake inspection. This is a common and straightforward job for any qualified shop.
Prepare for Rotor Replacement: Be aware that if your brakes have been grinding, you will almost certainly need to replace not only the brake pads but the brake rotors as well.

When you talk to the mechanic, clearly state: "My brakes are making a loud grinding sound," which will signal the urgency to them immediately.